About

Ronnie Drillsma – Artist, Tutor and Illustrator November 2015

Artist Bio

I live and work as an Artist in North Wales. My husband and I moved into a converted Barn and I am lucky enough to have one of the out buildings as a studio. We have two daughters who are very supportive of my work, as even though small Grandchildren are on the scene; my painting takes priority, for now anyway.

I taught Art as a Community Tutor for 16 years. I saw it as a sharing of ideas, with like minded people. I offered ideas and inspiration to others yet, I paved my own creative path at the same time. I began painting and exhibiting and devel0ping my personal style.

I studied Children’s Book Illustration, which taught me the importance of drawing. You can be quirky, and impressionist in painting style, but it all has to hang on the drawing. I still try to maintain the discipline of using a sketchbook; it helps me to observe, to work out exactly where things go!

I use rollers rather than a paint brush, because of the texture it delivers with every roll. I look for “tools” to create further texture and detail, e.g. bits of card, sponges, masking tape, collage etc. Textural quality adds interest to the piece, I like to think people may stop to look a bit closer, rather than walking by.

Some have said my paintings are like Illustrations. They have no people; I prefer the work to have its own narrative. Each piece could contain a story. I suppose I haven’t really strayed that far from Children’s Book Illustration after all…